foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Etowah County, AL — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Etowah County Health Department (Alabama Dept. of Public Health delegates food establishment permitting to the county); fees set by the county board of health within the ADPH-recommended range · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment Permit (by Priority Category)
New fees effective 2026-09-01: Category 1 $100, Category 2 $150, Category 3 $500, Category 4 $600 (prior/current fees: Category 2 $75, Categories 3-4 $200-$500)

Etowah County revised its fee schedule (previously adopted 2007); food permit fees are now based on Priority Category rather than annual gross sales. New schedule effective September 1, 2026. Source: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/Etowah/environmental-fees.html

Plan review — required

null - no separate food establishment plan review fee is published in the Etowah County environmental fee schedule

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Units
$200 (new, effective 2026-09-01); prior/current fee $100

Fee from the Etowah County Environmental Fee Schedule.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • ADPH delegates food permitting to county health departments; the state does not publish a uniform statewide food establishment fee.
  • Temporary Food Service Permit (per event, 14 days or less): $100 new / $75 prior.
  • Food Processors: Category 1 $300 new ($200 prior); Category 2 $400 new ($300 prior).
  • Office: 709 East Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35903; (256) 547-6311.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Bakery / food processingFood Processors Category 1 $300 / Category 2 $400 (new, effective 2026-09-01; prior $200 / $300)By Priority Category. Source: Etowah County Environmental Fee Schedule.
Temporary / seasonal event$100 per event, 14 days or less (new, effective 2026-09-01; prior $75)Etowah County Environmental Fee Schedule.
Pushcart / mobile vending$200 (Mobile Food Units; new, effective 2026-09-01; prior $100)Etowah County Environmental Fee Schedule.
Alabama statewide rules
Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.
What equipment you need
Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.
Permits & plan review, explained
The stack of approvals before you open.
Sources: www.alabamapublichealth.gov · www.alabamapublichealth.gov · www.alabamapublichealth.gov · observed 2026-08-07